finding a sense of place

Storm

Fear can be paralyzing. It can cause us to do nothing. As a young child I had no fear. I think children who feel loved and are in a nurturing atmosphere don’t know to fear, so they don’t. I can remember standing on our front porch as a little girl, during the beginning of a storm. It was wonderful. I felt so free. My mother allowed me to stay out to the last possible minute before finally making me come in the house. I think that was the last time I ever felt such abandon, such freedom.

Soon after that time, through a series of life changing events and trust that was broken, I learned to fear. The rest of my life seemed riddled with fear. Even after I became a Christian I still lived in fear and struggled to completely trust. I would remember thinking at different intervals in my life that I’d grow older and overcome the fear someday. That never seemed to happen. Even now I struggle with fear. As I’ve matured in my faith, I have learned that only God’s perfect love can cast out fear, and I know this, but even so, it is a daily struggle to let go of fear and just live in his freedom. I know it’s there, but sometimes my emotions don’t get the message and I find myself filtering life through the lens of fear instead of leaning on the one who has the power to calm my fears.

As Hurricane Sandy approaches, even though it is not close to me and so far, there have not been any predictions for major events in my immediate area, I am still reminded of how vulnerable we are and how fragile life is. It would be easy to let the grip of fear overcome rational thought. I know there are those today in the path of the storm that are fearful and worried. I know the ramifications of such a storm could be far reaching and there could be ripple effects that touch many.

So, I pray for those in the path of the storm. I pray for God’s protection. I pray for people to seek him and trust in him. I pray for this to bring people together. I pray that we will wake up and be stirred to seek God’s will in our lives. I pray that we will learn to completely trust his sovereignty and let his perfect love cast out our fear.

He loves us so much and there is great freedom in his love. We just have to rest in his love. Oh, the joy and abandonment we feel when we can do that. Whatever has happened in life that has brought us to fear, God can heal those wounds. He can be our strength, our very present help in trouble. He can give us freedom from fear.

Will you join me in prayer and in learning to cast all our cares on him?

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23